Our Autohelm release party is from 5-7pm today (Wednesday, Oct 12). Rising Tide and OTTO staff will be on hand to talk about the beer, and there will be schwag! Come check out our new digs while enjoying the first pours of this delicious winter beer.

This limited special collaboration will be available exclusively at OTTO locations in Maine and Massachusetts. (Note: Only 250 Read Street will begin pouring today. Other ME locations will begin pouring early next week, with MA locations in late October.)

If you haven’t had an opportunity to try Autohelm in the past, you won’t want to miss it this year.

The brew has 3.73 rating on social beer discovery service Untappd, eliciting some of the following responses:

“Delicious!”“This is incredible.”“Super solid!”“Very solid hoppy amber. Piney hops with a strong malt backbone!”“A sweet, hoppy Amber.”“Very smooth. Almost creamy. Nice rich malts with hop balance.”“Oh so good.”“Great hoppy awesome. Full body with a little sweet.”“Fan-freakin-tastic! Well done. Hoppy , refreshing, in a season of big heavy beers this was a refreshing change.”“Wow that is delicious!”

Thirsty yet?

Come on down, grab a few pies, and a few glasses of Autohelm — and be sure to let us know what you think.

In an unassuming industrial park a stone’s throw from the Maine Mall, sits one of SoPo’s hidden gems.

Don’t blink; you might just miss it.

Tucked between the mall and Clark’s Pond Cinema (and right next door to Maine Escape Games), you will find the most spacious OTTO in Maine. And one of the only restaurants in Maine with its own indoor bocce court (which doubles as a cornhole court, if you’re so inclined).

Those who have discovered the Mallside OTTO have become enamored with it. Its casual backyard barbecue ambience, the ample parking, and the convenient location make it a great alternative to fast food, and other national chains that line Maine Mall Road.

“Keep your GPS on and hone in on it. It’s worth a few passes,” writes Christine B. on Yelp.

In one day. That’s over 130 miles. They’re gonna need your help, and a lot of pizza, to power through.

Green Line Velo and OTTO have been working together for a few years now (OTTO has been the final stop on GLV’s Wednesday Night Group Rides for years). The relationship grew out of proximity, shared values, and, well, pizza, bikes, and beer.

Wednesday Night Group Ride in Brookline

When OTTO became an official sponsor of the team in 2016, the idea of a Boston to Portland ride was sparked. With a shared vision of improving our communities, the decision was made to raise funds and awareness for MassBike and Bicycle Coalition of Maine, with funds going towards cycling safety, infrastructure initiatives, and the promotion of cycling for fitness, fun, and transportation.

Final Wednesday Night Group Ride & Fundraiser
To kick off the event, we will be holding a fundraiser at our 888 Commonwealth Avenue location in Boston after the final Wednesday Night Group Ride on Wednesday, September 14. A portion of every sale between between 6pm-10pm will be donated to MassBike and Bicycle Coalition of Maine. Please feel free to come out and celebrate another great season, and wish the team best of luck in their 130-mile journey.

Show Some Love — DONATE!
Anyone willing to make a donation to support cycling initiatives in Maine and Massachusetts can do so at the ride’s fundraising page.

Arrival Party, Giveaways, Food and Drink Specials
On Saturday, September 24, we will be holding an arrival party at our 225 Congress Street location on Munjoy Hill in Portland from 4-7pm. There will be some great food and drink specials, giveaways, and other goodness.

As an added bonus for our cycling enthusiasts, our usual 10% offer to all Bicycle Benefits members will be extended to Buy One – Get One on all slices during the party. You can learn more about how the program works here. If you haven’t already signed up, the time is now!

Come out, meet the team, and support the cycling community!

Green Line Velo is a bicycle racing team based in Boston dedicated to competing at a high level and developing both individual riders and the sport in general. By focusing first on a high level of camaraderie, they strive to create a team experience that is similar to collegiate cycling and which creates a cohesive group both on the road in races, as well as on training rides.

GLV are dedicated to the love of the bike, the spirit of competition and, more importantly, to the pursuit of fun and enjoyment for all. They believe that the bicycle provides the means for their members to enact social good. Through a combination of competition and community outreach, they seek to promote that social good both on and off the bike.

The Bicycle Coalition of Maine works to make Maine a better place to bicycle. Founded by a small group of cyclists in 1992, the Bicycle Coalition has grown into one of the most effective bike advocacy groups in the country.

Instructions
Stretch the pizza dough into a 16-inch circle and place on a peel that has been dusted with cornmeal.
Brush the dough with olive oil.
Season with the black pepper and Asiago.
Break up the mashed potatoes and distribute evenly around the pizza, spreading all the way to the crust.
Top with mozzarella, making sure to cover the entire pizza, and drizzle generously with cream. Top with the bacon, scallions, parsley and salt.
Bake in a preheated 500 F pizza oven until golden brown.
Rotate the pizza half way through for an even bake.
Cut and serve.

Mashed Potato Instructions
Fill a large pot with the potatoes, enough cold water to cover, and half the salt.
Bring to a simmer.
Cook until the larger potatoes can easily be crushed with tongs.
Strain in colander.
Immediately add the potatoes to a large container with the butter, remaining salt and pepper.
Mash until smooth and no large lumps remain.
Stir in the cream.
Refrigerate immediately.